Community differences remain in knowledge of Irish and Ulster-Scots

Date published: 10 December 2025

Topics: Heritage and Languages

NISRA statisticians in the Department for Communities have published two new reports today, offering detailed insights into knowledge and use of Irish and Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland.

Key findings

Irish:

In 2024/25, 16% of the adult population had some knowledge of Irish, similar to the 2022/23 figure of 17%.
A higher proportion of adults from the Catholic community (35%) had some knowledge of Irish compared to adults from the Protestant community (3%).
Adults living in rural areas were more likely to have some knowledge of Irish (21%) than those in urban areas (14%).
Just under one in seven adults (14%) can understand Irish, while around one in ten can speak (10%) or read (8%) Irish.
Just over one in twenty adults used Irish at home (7%) or socially (6%), either daily or at least very occasionally.

Ulster Scots:

In 2024/25, 19% of the adult population had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots, similar to the 2022/23 figure of 17%.
A higher proportion of adults from the Protestant community (29%) had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots compared to adults from the Catholic community (13%).
Adults in the least deprived areas were more likely to have some knowledge of Ulster-Scots (27%) than those in the most deprived areas (11%).
Around one in six adults (17%) can understand Ulster-Scots, while 4% can speak it and 3% can read it.
Just over one in twenty adults used Ulster-Scots at home (6%) or socially (7%), either daily or at least very occasionally.

About the publications

The two publications provide summary statistical information on the use of Irish and Ulster-Scots and participation in Irish and Ulster-Scots culture and heritage in Northern Ireland.

Further information

Read the full reports:

Knowledge and use of Irish in Northern Ireland

Knowledge and use of Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland

View data tables and background information:

Knowledge and use of Irish and Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland 2024/25